INFB Spring Conference offers ‘Change, Challenge, Opportunity’

INDIANAPOLIS — Registration is open for the 2017 Indiana Farm Bureau Spring Conference, “Change, Challenge and Opportunity,” which runs Friday and Saturday, March 10-11, in Indianapolis.

Members who have attended the event in the past will notice a change to the schedule – a later start time. The doors will open for the opening session and meal at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

“Starting later in the day gave us more flexibility with our programming,” said Ashley Beasley, women’s leadership program coordinator. “It also accommodates those who have weekday commitments and gives us a full day for business on Saturday.”

Two speakers will offer keynote addresses during the conference.

Vance Crowe, director of millennial engagement for Monsanto, will deliver his message on Friday evening. Crowe is a former communications strategist for the World Bank Group, a returned U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and was a deckhand on an eco-tourism ship, among other adventures.

Comedian and speaker Leslie Townsend is Saturday’s keynote. Townsend uses humor to share her experiences as someone who married into farm life after growing up in the city.

Friday features “nightly networking” time, where attendees choose from a wine and canvas session (advance registration required; session is $35 per person); hearing from sports humorist and motivational speaker Howard Kellman; listening to singer Randy Lyness, who also serves as a state representative; or a game table. Two auctions will take place: a silent auction, which runs from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, and a live auction on Friday night. Proceeds from both will go to the Bucket Buddies Mission, an organization that helps children fighting cancer or other life-threatening diseases.

Five rounds of breakout sessions will be featured in three tracks — change track, a challenge track and an opportunity track — on Saturday. Members in need of private applicator recertification program credit will have an opportunity on Saturday afternoon during the “challenge” track.

The cost is $10 at the door for PARP credit.

Registration is open until Feb. 27. Visit infb.org/springconf for more information and to register. Spring Conference takes place at the Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 E. 21st St., Indianapolis.